Bear in mind the first Learning Outcome: LO1 – Demonstrate understanding of risk-taking in experimentation with new or unfamiliar media, equipment and research material to generate, develop and transform ideas and artworks.
But also now the second one too: LO2 – Display development and synthesis of your own individual creative responses and communicate your ideas through the use and manipulation of materials and processes with the informed use of visual language.
I have experimented different media for the past few weeks, not only 3D and 2D traditional media (Oil paint, watercolour, markers, colour pencils, clay, paper, etc), but also natural forms (leaves, rocks, branches, sand, soil.) and editing apps on computer. The materials I was unfamiliar with, such as oil paint, natural forms, paper sculpture, also the technical apps have been surprising me. The oil paints: I have not used oil paint before, therefore the process of discovering was so interesting to me. I was thinking if it is similar to watercolour that the function of oil is the same as water; when I added more oil, the fluidity of the paint increased and dry slower. The medium (linseed oil) gives more time for me to deal with 'mistake' and 'hesitations'. The most significant feature is that it makes the paint more transparent. It is different from watercolour, as it does not leave traces of the water flows, but brush strokes. I like the texture provided by oil paint, especially the linseed oil was added. The surface of the painting is smooth and flatten. In compare, the watercolour is unpredictable and oil paint is more controlled. I found it is a nice material for painting human skin in a realistic style. Even though watercolour can give a thick texture, it is very hard to achieve a smooth surface as oil paint. And it is not easy to be very thick unless less water and much paint. I found the linseed oil is very helpful in blending paints. After several times of experiment, I think the amount of oil should be a third of the paint or no more than a half. If it is over, it would be more like watercolour and the painting leaves traces of oil which is light yellow. I think it was not a failure, it would be something interesting to explore further. I can combine it with charcoal (life drawing) or some stencilling, maybe, it would be a mix media piece.
In the following weeks, I had a second thought; the topic of this unit is 'Think of material', therefore I change my focus on the use of material rather than content. Getting out of the box, I made my work more experimental instead of illustrating the ideas. I changed all the way of thinking and planning. I usually make a plan in sketchbook what I would like to draw or paint, but now only decide which material to use then start creating. I feel more freedom of creation and found out something unpredictable that surprise me. Consider the situation right now, there are many limitations. So the works are made from something common and basic objects, such as cling-film, foam board and cardboard. I made some lovely marks on the foam board. This idea came from the first day in the drawing workshop, when I was getting marks from different objects, such as the branches. These marks created because of the rough surface, just like the foam board. There are some circles illustrated horizontally and vertically. It is a little bit different which is a manmade product so the marks are very neat and regular. This pattern shows when I apply a thinner layer of paint, therefore it makes the painting more layering. Another piece of work I would like to mention. It is an abstract sculpture, created by some plastic board. I cut it into small pieces and rejoined them together. The topic centres around 'Elbow', the elbow's movement is about 0 degree to 150, in my opinion. So I chose this material, it stretches in a similar range. Also, I would like to make it a metaphor, it can not be noticed directly for the first time it is about the elbow. I think it is good to try that I have not done it before. It is new to me which my works were realistic.
